Whether you are a student, a professional searching for a job, or someone hoping to transition to a different field, job satisfaction stats are important. They can give you some life-changing information that will shape your career decisions. Knowing when a job is more satisfying can ease your decision-making process in the future and motivate you to find a more satisfying job.
This job satisfaction guide will focus on web developers and aims to answer the question “are web developers happy?” Read on to learn more about web developer career satisfaction and salaries.
What Is a Web Developer?
A web developer is a programmer that specializes in building and maintaining websites and web applications. They use popular programming languages such as CSS, HTML, PHP, Ruby, and C# to create websites. Front end web developers are most concerned with the client-facing aspects of the site, while backend developers work on the server-side of web development.
Web developers are coding experts that often work alongside web designers to bring the concept of the site or application to life. While web designers mainly handle the aesthetics and user experience of an application or website, the web developer is the one who writes the code that instructs the website or app on how to carry out the required functions.
Is Web Development a Good Career?
Web development is a good career because it offers a wide range of career opportunities to professionals. Web developers can work in many different industries, from tech, to government, to business. As almost every organization requires a website, the possibilities for job opportunities are endless.
Since web developers are in high demand, employers put a lot of effort into employing talent and retaining them. Experienced developers enjoy high salaries with many perks and benefits. Many web developers also take the freelance route, meaning they find clients themselves online, work remotely, and even travel while maintaining a successful career.
Web Developer Satisfaction Rates
Payscale conducted a survey to check web developer job satisfaction ratings and found that nearly four out of five or 79 percent were satisfied with their jobs. The survey was based on 1,170 survey respondents, showing that the bulk of web developers are satisfied with their jobs.
This rate is high considering only 51 percent of US workers were satisfied with their jobs according to a report by the Conference Board in 2017.
What Makes Web Development Jobs Satisfying?
In this tech-driven time, web and mobile developers will always be in-demand. This means job seekers will find countless opportunities in various industries and will be able to work with many different clients.
A career in web development can provide plenty of variety, meaning you won’t get bored easily. Overall, web developers access competitive salaries, flexibility, and creativity in their work that keep the job satisfying. Keep reading for more information on web developer job satisfaction.
High Demand
For businesses to grow today, they need an online presence. This is one of the reasons why web developers are in high demand. Without a skilled web developer, organizations will be forced to use drag and drop web builders and templates. This may work in some cases, but not all the time.
Tech companies want to be able to create a unique experience for their customers to encourage them to remain loyal to the brand. Web developers help create engaging and unique websites to help businesses achieve their goals. This high demand translates to higher salaries and more job availability.
Work Flexibility
Another major aspect of web development job satisfaction is the flexibility it offers. You do not need to be in a single location to build or maintain a website. This is why web developers have the freedom to work as freelancers or full-time remote workers. They can still collaborate with other professionals thousands of miles away thanks to technology.
Some web developers run their own businesses while others work for large and small companies. They can also choose to work part-time. Being able to schedule your time in this manner can greatly increase job satisfaction.
Transferable Skills
Coding and programming skills are relevant to many other careers, especially in the tech industry. With these skills, you can move into software engineering, data science, or become a business analyst. The soft skills you also develop during your web development career, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and communication also make you highly employable.
Higher Salaries and Benefits
Web developers have an average salary of $75,073, according to ZipRecruiter. More seasoned developers can earn up to $115,000 per year. In addition, if you work for a company in the tech industry, you’re likely to get numerous perks and benefits as a web developer. Some notable ones include paid vacations, insurance cover, free lunches, and bonuses.
Creativity
Another reason why this job is so satisfying is its lack of restrictions when it comes to creativity. While clients can choose their preferences, it is up to the web developer to make design decisions that bring them to life. This is especially true if you are a front end developer.
Web Developer Stress and Rewards
Web development has a lot of rewards, but there are also some challenging aspects to the job. It is important to consider both sides of the coin before choosing to transition to web development. This section will cover the pros and cons of a web development career to help you decide if it is a good option for you.
Web Developer Stress
- Long hours. Working as a web developer may be stressful because you may be required to work long hours and overtime to meet deadlines. This could mean working evenings, nights, and weekends. While this overtime may be paid for, it is still stressful and takes you away from other responsibilities that require your attention.
- Competition. If you are a junior web developer, you may face stiff competition because there are several others just like you vying for the same position. This means you will need to offer something unique to stand out and get your dream job.
- Limited perks. While it is true that web developers enjoy perks and benefits, these perks may not apply at all companies. Some companies are smaller while others are startups and it may be difficult to offer the same benefits as established companies.
- Sedentary lifestyle. Web development requires sitting down for longer periods. This sedentary lifestyle is not beneficial for your health in the long run. You would need to compensate with regular exercise and a healthy diet to balance out your life.
- Eye strain. Web development also requires staring at a computer screen on a daily basis. At some point, you will experience eye strain. Some software developers try to solve the problem by using anti-glare screens and taking breaks. Aside from eye strain, you could experience neck and back pain.
Web Developer Rewards
- Remote work. As remote work becomes more popular, web developers have been among the biggest beneficiaries. You can easily find a job that allows you to work remotely. You can work from home and even travel the world as long as you have a steady internet connection.
- Career growth. When it comes to professional development, web development offers room for growth. Most developers start as junior web developers and move on to senior web developers. They have the opportunity to grow into roles like project management and development management.
- Job opportunities. As more businesses move their services online, there has been an increase in demand for web developers. This means that there are more job opportunities for web developers around the globe. Professionals are needed in almost every field to expand digital business solutions.
- No degree is needed. College degrees can be quite expensive. The web development field does not necessarily require a degree. Employers can hire based on the candidate’s experience and skills, rather than the qualifications. You can learn these skills by attending a web development bootcamp.
- Opportunity to hone your skills. Working as a web developer allows you to hone your programming skills. Each day, you get a chance to learn new things that contribute to your professional development. This way, you can always remain relevant in the field.
Life as a Web Developer
Life as a web developer can be interesting. You get the chance to work with other professionals and learn from them. It also allows you to meet and interact with people from time to time. Continue reading to learn more about web developers’ work environment, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
Web Developer Work Environment
Unlike many professionals, web developers enjoy a more casual work environment. They do not need to wear uniforms or dress formally. You are likely to find unique-looking offices and a relaxed environment because employers in this field seek to increase productivity. They do this by making the environment relaxed and not overly formal.
Also, some web developers work remotely, so they can choose their own locations and ambiance to help them focus while working. Others who work as independent contractors may also have access to the office and collaborate with other professionals there for the project.
Web Developer Benefits
As a web developer, most companies offer benefits like free daycare, paid vacation, life insurance, health insurance, bonuses, and free lunches. Some companies also offer fitness facilities such as swimming pools and gymnasiums to encourage healthy living.
Also, some web developers get paid for extra hours spent in the office and they get special bonuses at the end of the year. These perks, however, only apply to web developers who are fully employed. Freelancers may not get these perks.
Web Developer Career Growth
Career growth is guaranteed as a web developer. If you choose to freelance, you can continue to build your customer base as long as you are good at what you do. More people will recommend your services and you can charge more.
This is even better in salaried employment. Within three years, you can grow from junior developer to mid-level developer, and within five to seven years, you can be a senior developer. This process may be shorter for some professionals. Employers reward hard-working employees and also to retain them for their skills, so you can climb the career ladder quickly.
Web Developer Job Outlook, Salaries, and Career Growth
Web developers enjoy high salaries, have a good job outlook, and steady career growth. These professionals can work in any part of the world and still earn a good living from working remotely. This is due to their high demand.
Is Web Development In Demand?
Web development is in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of developers in this field is expected to grow by 13 percent from 2020 to 2030. This figure is a lot faster than the average for all occupations. With more businesses establishing their online presence, web developers are sure to experience more career growth.
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Web Developer Salaries
Aside from a high job growth rate, web developers also enjoy a high salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 median salary of web developers was $77,200 per year. This means that they earned $37.12 per hour. Salaries depend on the location to a large extent, so some professionals may earn considerably higher than others.
High-Paying Web Development Jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| JavaScript Engineer | $116,090 |
| UI Developer | $107,681 |
| Flash Developer | $105,654 |
| HTML Developer | $94,491 |
| Digital Developer | $88,882 |
JavaScript Engineer
- JavaScript Engineer Average Salary: $116,090
JavaScript engineers develop and improve JavaScript applications and software. They may also be responsible for working JavaScript code to fix corrupt code, produce new functions, and collaborate with development teams to make sure programs and software work seamlessly.
User Interface (UI) Developer
- UI Developer Average Salary: $107,681
UI developers are responsible for creating apps that ease the use of web pages. This professional works as a developer and designer simultaneously. The role is not only focused on on-site aesthetics but the security and functionality of the website. UI developers also come up with new ways for users to use software apps.
Flash Developer
- Flash Developer Average Salary: $105,654
Flash developers are responsible for creating web animations and interactive online media for websites. The main role of these professionals is collaborating with content creators, developers, and artists to create the visual design of a web page. When the experts come up with the ideas, the flash developer codes the ideas using tools like CSS, Adobe Flash, and XML.
HTML Developer
- HTML Developer Average Salary: $94,491
These professionals use their skills and coding knowledge to create websites with the needs of the clients in mind. They manage web projects, provide technical support when required, construct websites by writing code, and implement custom features in websites. They are also responsible for performing quality control tests.
Digital Developer
- Digital Developer Average Salary: $88,882
Digital developers are technical experts responsible for developing, designing, and maintaining websites, services, and applications. This is a front end development role and professionals need to know design interfaces and information architecture. They create prototypes, advise on technical specifications, develop user-centered software, and research new techniques for development.
Should I Become a Web Developer?
You should become a web developer if you want to work in a field with high salaries, high demand, flexibility, and numerous perks and benefits. If you have a flair for technology and web development, in particular, you will benefit a lot from pursuing this career path. If you’re ready to learn web development, check out this guide.
Web Developer Career Change FAQ
Web development is an excellent career change because it offers career growth, high annual wages, and the possibility for remote work. Since professionals in this field are in high demand, you also have a lot of options while searching for a job.
Web development is not a dying career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment in this field will grow by 13 percent, which is higher than the average for all occupations. This means that there will be even more tech jobs in the next decade. Some popular roles in this field include mobile developers, Java developers, and engineering managers.
It is worth it if you consider several factors such as higher salaries and more benefits. Also, you do not need to have a four-year college degree or an advanced degree to land a job as a web developer. With adequate training from a top coding bootcamp, you can be ready for the job market within a few months.
Web development can be stressful because it may require long working hours and in some cases, you may need to work on weekends to meet deadlines. However, with proper rest and exercise, you should be able to cope with the challenges and enjoy the other perks it offers.
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